He wants to know cause of lost hearing

Aquarius, don’t you worry about money

Dear Dr. Roach: I have worked in a loud facility for 35 years and have always worn protection and had my hearing tested annually. Several years ago, I had a threshold shift (a loss in my hearing range), and the plant nurse sent me to a hearing specialist. He said that my hearing loss is not due to noise exposure. How do you determine from the result of a test whether hearing loss is caused by noise exposure or other factors, such as illness or injury? Would a hearing aid be effective? — J.G.

A comprehensive exam and hearing testing can show whether the hearing loss is likely due to loud noise exposure, based on the pattern of hearing loss across different frequencies. I don’t think there is 100 percent certainty about making or excluding noise exposure as the cause of the hearing loss from the pattern.

I would think that an independent evaluation, by a certified audiologist and your own ENT doctor, might give you additional information, including a discussion about how much benefit you might get from a hearing aid.

Dear Dr. Roach: You have about high blood pressure before, but I want to know about low blood pressure. What is normal? What is low, and what is dangerously low? I have a heart issue for which I take medication. I want to know if my blood pressure is too low. — Anon.

Blood pressure tends to go up with age, so low blood pressure numbers are higher for older adults.

For people with healthy hearts, the only time we worry about low blood pressure is if there are symptoms, and the most common symptoms are lightheadedness and fainting.

Blood pressure is dangerously low when a disease process is causing it. In extreme cases, low blood pressure is one of the most dangerous signs of shock. But in general, for healthy people, low blood pressures are not worrisome. Write to Dr. Roach at ToYourGoodHealth @med.cornell.edu.

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To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) (8) Add new sources of funding. The more work you finish, the better you look.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) (7) Act on a passionate impulse. Encourage a partner to make a change they’ve been wanting.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) (8) Your work rewards innovation. Full speed ahead!

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